Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have returned to training in a slight easing of Chelsea’s injury crisis.
Graham Potter’s opening few months at Stamford Bridge have been wrecked by a growing absentee list, with over ten members of the first-team squad injured to some degree.
Such is the extent of the problem, Standard Sport understands there is a growing concern behind the scenes.
Former club doctor Paco Biosca and head physio Thierry Laurent left their respective roles during a wide-scale restructure at Chelsea following May’s takeover.
The new Boehly-Clearlake regime were thought to believe Premier League rivals boasted a more modern medical department, leading to the changes.
Still, the issue is yet to have been resolved and Potter has admitted the crisis is the worst of that nature he’s ever dealt with.
The returns of Loftus-Cheek and Aubameyang, however, do offer at least some reprieve.
Loftus-Cheek, who last played during the defeat to Newcastle before the World Cup, has fulfilled a number of different roles during Potter’s tenure and his versatility will be a major boost.
Aubameyang, meanwhile, missed the FA Cup defeat to Manchester City with a back strain and does offer a track-record of goals, albeit the former Arsenal man has struggled to convince since joining from Barcelona.
